Philadelphia Phillies storyline: 11th-hour remedies

Kyle Kendrick is part of the answer for the Philadelphia Phillies in the endgame strategy. Can he thrive in the 7th and 8th innings?

TAL’S HANDY CAPS

WELCOME, NEWCOMERS:

I will publish after every battle that is not washed out. I will have many season-long highlights of puzzle pieces, especially important after drubbings and defeats. If you were directed here by a feed and this review does not mention yesterday’s contest, please go to the Phillies page for my most recent coverage. (Early morning readers may arrive before the latest post.) Scroll down to Tal’s Handy Links at the bottom. Thank you.

The Cole Hamels saga will play out this week before the 3 matchups in Atlanta. The red pinstripes have 3 games with the Brewers, which will not affect the young gun’s future. It will, however, impact the contract-expiring players in August and September. A sweep would position the squad at 8-4 since the break, which is much more optimistic than 7-5.

Ryno Is Hit By A Pitch In The 1st

I’m not concerned about the offense or defense. With the leather, the replacements for rehabbing regulars lowered the club from first or second to around tenth in the majors. The sticks are solid from top to bottom with speed at the front in Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino. The middle is the strongest it has been in a while with Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Chooch Ruiz and Hunter Pence. Utley and Howard are fresh, but they are just returning to form after being back for 2-3 weeks. Juan Pierre and Polly Polanco offer the beginning of a second lineup.

J-Roll Catches A 7th-Inning Thief

Three number ones, Vance Worley and Joe Blanton are going to give the bats a winning opportunity. Jonathan Papelbon will rebound from a couple difficult showings. The last 2 frames before Cinco Ocho have been the soft spots, but Kendrick and Antonio Bastardo have been outstanding lately. They have had 9 performances over the last 5 battles, and they have this line: 8.2 innings, 4 hits, 0 runs, 3 free passes (1 intentional) and 11 punch outs. Bastardo is regaining his confidence, and it is apparent in his demeanor on the bump. Kendrick has really solidified the backend of the ‘pen. That said, this is a critical series, because Milwaukee isn’t a hot team or in the heat of a pennant race.

Doc Loads Up On July 17 In Los Angeles

PRECAP PITCH

Doc Halladay:

He will probably be limited to 100 bullets in his 2nd outing, which is 6 or 7 frames. He started resembling the ace of the last 2 campaigns after the 2nd inning, and that should continue tonight.

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Randy Wolf Pictured At Home On July 17 Against The Cardinals

Randy Wolf:

He is not having his usual summer, which may be just an off year. He has lasted 6.1 frames plus in 6 of 18 attempts with 7 clunkers. And he is 1-2 with a 6.86 away ERA in 8 appearances (1 relief).